- Status
Like Bob, I follow rule #1, current boat is no
problem under any conditions but practice was key. I did a lot of practice with a 45' boat so anything smaller seems like a sports car, when we first got our current 27' boat I tried putting the boat in and out forwards, reversed and sideways (strong cross wind). Seems like I'm always coming in when it's dark and I'm so used to singlehanding that it's much easier if everyone just sits down out of the way. My dockmates and I make it a practice to assist each other landing if we're around but it's usually just to throw the loop from fixed docklines on the bow cleat. The guys at the fuel dock always handle the lines and do a great job, I don't even leave the cockpit when fueling. When coming into a strange dock I appreciate my crew handling the bow line and making sure the fenders line up and checking places I can't see for that huge bolthead sticking out of dock where it shouldn't be.
problem under any conditions but practice was key. I did a lot of practice with a 45' boat so anything smaller seems like a sports car, when we first got our current 27' boat I tried putting the boat in and out forwards, reversed and sideways (strong cross wind). Seems like I'm always coming in when it's dark and I'm so used to singlehanding that it's much easier if everyone just sits down out of the way. My dockmates and I make it a practice to assist each other landing if we're around but it's usually just to throw the loop from fixed docklines on the bow cleat. The guys at the fuel dock always handle the lines and do a great job, I don't even leave the cockpit when fueling. When coming into a strange dock I appreciate my crew handling the bow line and making sure the fenders line up and checking places I can't see for that huge bolthead sticking out of dock where it shouldn't be.
Like Bob, I follow rule #1, current boat is no
problem under any conditions but practice was key. I did a lot of practice with a 45' boat so anything smaller seems like a sports car, when we first got our current 27' boat I tried putting the boat in and out forwards, reversed and sideways (strong cross wind). Seems like I'm always coming in when it's dark and I'm so used to singlehanding that it's much easier if everyone just sits down out of the way. My dockmates and I make it a practice to assist each other landing if we're around but it's usually just to throw the loop from fixed docklines on the bow cleat. The guys at the fuel dock always handle the lines and do a great job, I don't even leave the cockpit when fueling. When coming into a strange dock I appreciate my crew handling the bow line and making sure the fenders line up and checking places I can't see for that huge bolthead sticking out of dock where it shouldn't be.
problem under any conditions but practice was key. I did a lot of practice with a 45' boat so anything smaller seems like a sports car, when we first got our current 27' boat I tried putting the boat in and out forwards, reversed and sideways (strong cross wind). Seems like I'm always coming in when it's dark and I'm so used to singlehanding that it's much easier if everyone just sits down out of the way. My dockmates and I make it a practice to assist each other landing if we're around but it's usually just to throw the loop from fixed docklines on the bow cleat. The guys at the fuel dock always handle the lines and do a great job, I don't even leave the cockpit when fueling. When coming into a strange dock I appreciate my crew handling the bow line and making sure the fenders line up and checking places I can't see for that huge bolthead sticking out of dock where it shouldn't be.
Pride cometh before the crash
I love docking and like a long golf putt I can remember my perfect docking experiences. But... I have "no pride of dockmanship" -- by which I mean there is no shame in bailing from a bad setup, and going around and reposition yourself for a unexpected foul current or circumstance. To get a successful docking on a second attempt is far more satisfying than splintering your hull on the first attempt.
I love docking and like a long golf putt I can remember my perfect docking experiences. But... I have "no pride of dockmanship" -- by which I mean there is no shame in bailing from a bad setup, and going around and reposition yourself for a unexpected foul current or circumstance. To get a successful docking on a second attempt is far more satisfying than splintering your hull on the first attempt.
Pride cometh before the crash
I love docking and like a long golf putt I can remember my perfect docking experiences. But... I have "no pride of dockmanship" -- by which I mean there is no shame in bailing from a bad setup, and going around and reposition yourself for a unexpected foul current or circumstance. To get a successful docking on a second attempt is far more satisfying than splintering your hull on the first attempt.
I love docking and like a long golf putt I can remember my perfect docking experiences. But... I have "no pride of dockmanship" -- by which I mean there is no shame in bailing from a bad setup, and going around and reposition yourself for a unexpected foul current or circumstance. To get a successful docking on a second attempt is far more satisfying than splintering your hull on the first attempt.
UN docking
This was my first year with my C27. Bringing it back IN to the dock has been relatively painless. The boat has great momentum and directional stability, and turns on its own length. Even in heavy crosswinds, no crashes. Getting the thing away from the dock and going has been a problem. The thing has a high bow and left to its own devices or my inattention, its going to go downwind. Period. If you have to back out, stop and go forard into the wind, the bow is already irrevocably falling off and nothing is going to stop it. In such conditions, I've finally learned to let nature and hull shape take their course, and back out of the marina to a place where I have lots of room to turn. People smerk a bit, but I'm not hitting anyone! I'll take docking her over undocking any day. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
This was my first year with my C27. Bringing it back IN to the dock has been relatively painless. The boat has great momentum and directional stability, and turns on its own length. Even in heavy crosswinds, no crashes. Getting the thing away from the dock and going has been a problem. The thing has a high bow and left to its own devices or my inattention, its going to go downwind. Period. If you have to back out, stop and go forard into the wind, the bow is already irrevocably falling off and nothing is going to stop it. In such conditions, I've finally learned to let nature and hull shape take their course, and back out of the marina to a place where I have lots of room to turn. People smerk a bit, but I'm not hitting anyone! I'll take docking her over undocking any day. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
UN docking
This was my first year with my C27. Bringing it back IN to the dock has been relatively painless. The boat has great momentum and directional stability, and turns on its own length. Even in heavy crosswinds, no crashes. Getting the thing away from the dock and going has been a problem. The thing has a high bow and left to its own devices or my inattention, its going to go downwind. Period. If you have to back out, stop and go forard into the wind, the bow is already irrevocably falling off and nothing is going to stop it. In such conditions, I've finally learned to let nature and hull shape take their course, and back out of the marina to a place where I have lots of room to turn. People smerk a bit, but I'm not hitting anyone! I'll take docking her over undocking any day. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
This was my first year with my C27. Bringing it back IN to the dock has been relatively painless. The boat has great momentum and directional stability, and turns on its own length. Even in heavy crosswinds, no crashes. Getting the thing away from the dock and going has been a problem. The thing has a high bow and left to its own devices or my inattention, its going to go downwind. Period. If you have to back out, stop and go forard into the wind, the bow is already irrevocably falling off and nothing is going to stop it. In such conditions, I've finally learned to let nature and hull shape take their course, and back out of the marina to a place where I have lots of room to turn. People smerk a bit, but I'm not hitting anyone! I'll take docking her over undocking any day. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
Toss the fenders
The best docking thing we ever did was to get rid of the fenders. We now have three round bouys (?)that are held by a single line attached to and along our floating dock. They take care of keeping the hull off the dock and we no longer hassle with putting the fenders on and off. We do carry fenders on the boat for raft-ups, etc. Some people in our marina mount big fenders to the dock so that if they can't stop they hit the fender with the bow. Personally, I think that is like having a sign that says "I cannot dock well" but they swear by it and it does protect their bow. Of course the bigger the boat the less effective it is.
The best docking thing we ever did was to get rid of the fenders. We now have three round bouys (?)that are held by a single line attached to and along our floating dock. They take care of keeping the hull off the dock and we no longer hassle with putting the fenders on and off. We do carry fenders on the boat for raft-ups, etc. Some people in our marina mount big fenders to the dock so that if they can't stop they hit the fender with the bow. Personally, I think that is like having a sign that says "I cannot dock well" but they swear by it and it does protect their bow. Of course the bigger the boat the less effective it is.
Toss the fenders
The best docking thing we ever did was to get rid of the fenders. We now have three round bouys (?)that are held by a single line attached to and along our floating dock. They take care of keeping the hull off the dock and we no longer hassle with putting the fenders on and off. We do carry fenders on the boat for raft-ups, etc. Some people in our marina mount big fenders to the dock so that if they can't stop they hit the fender with the bow. Personally, I think that is like having a sign that says "I cannot dock well" but they swear by it and it does protect their bow. Of course the bigger the boat the less effective it is.
The best docking thing we ever did was to get rid of the fenders. We now have three round bouys (?)that are held by a single line attached to and along our floating dock. They take care of keeping the hull off the dock and we no longer hassle with putting the fenders on and off. We do carry fenders on the boat for raft-ups, etc. Some people in our marina mount big fenders to the dock so that if they can't stop they hit the fender with the bow. Personally, I think that is like having a sign that says "I cannot dock well" but they swear by it and it does protect their bow. Of course the bigger the boat the less effective it is.
How about a 6 knot current
My prayer as I approach the floating dock is there is a crowd and someone will be there to catch a line. At our small marina in a tidal river at times we have a 6 knot current and winds to boot. As soon as there is a comfort that you will not hit the boat in front or behind you give a glance at the low bridge a 100 yards from the marina and be pleased once again you survived the last few feet of the sailing venture. But it is all worth it or at least now that the sailing season is over it is the best of times.
My prayer as I approach the floating dock is there is a crowd and someone will be there to catch a line. At our small marina in a tidal river at times we have a 6 knot current and winds to boot. As soon as there is a comfort that you will not hit the boat in front or behind you give a glance at the low bridge a 100 yards from the marina and be pleased once again you survived the last few feet of the sailing venture. But it is all worth it or at least now that the sailing season is over it is the best of times.
How about a 6 knot current
My prayer as I approach the floating dock is there is a crowd and someone will be there to catch a line. At our small marina in a tidal river at times we have a 6 knot current and winds to boot. As soon as there is a comfort that you will not hit the boat in front or behind you give a glance at the low bridge a 100 yards from the marina and be pleased once again you survived the last few feet of the sailing venture. But it is all worth it or at least now that the sailing season is over it is the best of times.
My prayer as I approach the floating dock is there is a crowd and someone will be there to catch a line. At our small marina in a tidal river at times we have a 6 knot current and winds to boot. As soon as there is a comfort that you will not hit the boat in front or behind you give a glance at the low bridge a 100 yards from the marina and be pleased once again you survived the last few feet of the sailing venture. But it is all worth it or at least now that the sailing season is over it is the best of times.
Its a worldwide matter !
I never had a serious situation when docking, but some nerve wracking ones. Last weekend I engaed the reverse gear on our Farr 38, and was perfectly aligned to go backwards to the slip. Everything was well, I threw the lines to a friend on the dock and rushed forward to help my wife at the bow. The gear lever was slightly forward which made my friend release the line and the boat started to leave the slip. I immediately put the motor to iddle, and grabbed the lifelines of our neighbour boat. Never losing my elegance I slowly started to pull against our neighbour's lifeline posts so our boat approached the dock once again. It all happened at almost zero speed so I did not think of it as a disaster. Except when I stepped on the dock and had to listen to a very angry neighbour.
I never had a serious situation when docking, but some nerve wracking ones. Last weekend I engaed the reverse gear on our Farr 38, and was perfectly aligned to go backwards to the slip. Everything was well, I threw the lines to a friend on the dock and rushed forward to help my wife at the bow. The gear lever was slightly forward which made my friend release the line and the boat started to leave the slip. I immediately put the motor to iddle, and grabbed the lifelines of our neighbour boat. Never losing my elegance I slowly started to pull against our neighbour's lifeline posts so our boat approached the dock once again. It all happened at almost zero speed so I did not think of it as a disaster. Except when I stepped on the dock and had to listen to a very angry neighbour.
Its a worldwide matter !
I never had a serious situation when docking, but some nerve wracking ones. Last weekend I engaed the reverse gear on our Farr 38, and was perfectly aligned to go backwards to the slip. Everything was well, I threw the lines to a friend on the dock and rushed forward to help my wife at the bow. The gear lever was slightly forward which made my friend release the line and the boat started to leave the slip. I immediately put the motor to iddle, and grabbed the lifelines of our neighbour boat. Never losing my elegance I slowly started to pull against our neighbour's lifeline posts so our boat approached the dock once again. It all happened at almost zero speed so I did not think of it as a disaster. Except when I stepped on the dock and had to listen to a very angry neighbour.
I never had a serious situation when docking, but some nerve wracking ones. Last weekend I engaed the reverse gear on our Farr 38, and was perfectly aligned to go backwards to the slip. Everything was well, I threw the lines to a friend on the dock and rushed forward to help my wife at the bow. The gear lever was slightly forward which made my friend release the line and the boat started to leave the slip. I immediately put the motor to iddle, and grabbed the lifelines of our neighbour boat. Never losing my elegance I slowly started to pull against our neighbour's lifeline posts so our boat approached the dock once again. It all happened at almost zero speed so I did not think of it as a disaster. Except when I stepped on the dock and had to listen to a very angry neighbour.
Ignacio
Go back to the very first post. One of my rules is NEVER leave the wheel. Strategically-placed fenders will always help if the boat side-slips.
Go back to the very first post. One of my rules is NEVER leave the wheel. Strategically-placed fenders will always help if the boat side-slips.
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